14 Beauty Myths That Make Us Look Worse

Beauty requires sacrifice and in order to stay beautiful, we readily make these sacrifices. However, as it turns out, many habitual actions and beliefs for sustaining a perfect appearance are actually not that necessary. Moreover, many of them not only waste our time and money but also damage our looks.

Smiles Tv wants to help you figure out what myths you’d better stop believing in order to stay beautiful.

Myth #1: Everyday makeup is harmful to the skin.

In fact, it’s not makeup itself, but instead, the act of neglecting to remove it properly before going to bed that harms the skin. The skin should have an opportunity to breathe and oxygenate. In the daytime, modern cosmetics contain UV filters, moisturizing and protective properties that are useful since they can protect the skin from the aggressive impact of the environment.

Myth #2: If there’s a “hypoallergenic” sign on a cosmetic bottle, the product will suit any skin type.

“Hypoallergenic” cosmetic products lack only the most wide-spread allergenic ingredients such as alcohol, for example. However, the only ingredient that any skin has no reaction to is distilled water. That’s why it’s important to remember to learn carefully the content of even the most harmless products before buying them. Cosmetics based on natural ingredients aren’t for everyone.

Myth #3: Moisturizing creams don’t prevent wrinkles.

In fact, today many moisturizing creams fight the appearance of wrinkles. The main thing to keep in mind is that there should be UV filters and vitamins containing antioxidants in the composition of the cream that you use.

Myth #4: The skin gets adjusted to creams and the creams lose their effect. That’s why they should be changed from time to time.

This myth is definitely wrong. Sometimes shifting to a new cream can be stressful for the skin. However, bear in mind that skincare rules are different for different seasons. If a cream for sustaining an optimal pH level is enough for summer, then the winter cream apart from protecting from direct sun rays, wind, and dust, should have properties that moisturize and nourish.

Myth #5: Cream should be applied to the face working upward.

Many people are sure that there are special rules for applying creams to the face and that circular motions from the bottom of the face to the top will enhance the effect of the cream. In fact, there are some rules on how to apply face creams but these hand motions don’t make much sense.

Myth #6: One should drink a lot of water to prevent wrinkles.

The myth saying that water consumed regularly and in necessary amounts slows the skin aging process down is very popular but, unfortunately, it doesn’t have any justification. As a rule, the cells of the upper layer of the epidermis are already dead, therefore, they don’t absorb moisture from the inside.

Myth #7: If you perform face gymnastics regularly, you can get rid of facial wrinkles.

The face is the only part of the body where muscles are attached directly to the skin. Constant stretching and exercises don’t contribute to smoothing existing wrinkles.

Sun really dries out the skin but the skin reacts to it by secreting more oil that clogs the pores. Moreover, long exposure to the sun without protection can promote a sun allergy, which causes the appearance of blemishes.

Myth #9: An even tan is the main indicator of healthy skin.

Tanning is a protective reaction the body has against damaging effects. A good and even tan says that the skin is damaged and is trying to protect itself.

Myth #10: Removing moles can be harmful to your health.

A mole is a pigmented formation on the skin. Moles can have different colors and shapes. Most moles are harmless but some of them can turn into melanoma under the influence of external factors. That’s why it’s necessary to remove all benign lesions on the skin. This medical procedure is absolutely harmless.

Myth #11: It’s useful to wipe the face with ice.

Ice wipings are not good for everyone because low temperatures can harm the skin. As a result, the blood flow can be disrupted. Additionally, puffiness and spider veins may appear. Moreover, a decrease in the function of the sebaceous glands leads to a loss of elasticity. This procedure should be ignored by those who have dry skin, while others shouldn’t overuse it. There are many facial cosmetic products that have better effects than ice.

Myth #12: If you cut your hair frequently, it will grow faster.

Hair grows at the same speed — about 0.40 inches per month — no matter how often it’s cut and whether it’s cut at all.

Myth #13: It’s necessary to brush your teeth after every meal.

According to recent research, not only is brushing your teeth right after a meal useless but it’s also harmful. The acid that gets into the oral cavity with products eats into tooth enamel and contributes to its erosion. If you keep brushing your teeth within 30 minutes after having a meal, the tooth enamel will decay much faster.

Myth #14: Nail polish harms nails because it prevents them from breathing.

Nails are dead cells. If a nail plate was breathing, nail polish wouldn’t stay on it due to increased moisture. Nails don’t require oxygen, their nutrition goes through capillaries in the under-cuticle zone.

Did you ever consider any of these myths useful before reading this article? Please tell us about it in the comments!